Taking care of your skin is important, even if it appears healthy. Not only is it the face we show the world, but how we treat our skin impacts the rest of our health. Good skincare starts on the inside (like with most things) but for external care, it deserves only the best ingredients.

There's a reason why people are turning to plant-based skincare products like CBD, or cannabidiol. The hemp-derived molecule offers substantial suggested benefits for both skincare and your overall wellbeing– a crucial factor in having healthy skin.

Today, we'll look at how CBD affects our skin and some of the common reasons why people are incorporating it into their skincare routine.

How Does CBD Work for Skincare?

CBD doesn’t just sit on the skin. When plant-based cannabinoids are applied, they seep into the subdermal skin layers but do not enter the bloodstream. This makes them safe for people who cannot risk THC entering their system. Furthermore, you don’t need CBD to enter the bloodstream, as the skin dermis plays an important role in skin homeostasis.

Our skin is a complex, finely tuned system. It protects us from external threats by detecting signals from our surrounding environment and influencing thermoregulation. To maintain homeostasis, the different skin cells and receptors require strict, active cooperation. Several signaling systems control the skin's interactions, including the Endocannabinoid System.

The Endocannabinoid System is our leading signaling network that keeps everything working in balance. It senses signals from its two primary receptors, CB1 and CB2, located throughout the body – including the skin.

Once the skin absorbs the CBD, it activates the receptors and enzymes responsible for mitigating its effects to the Endocannabinoid System. Among others, these effects include anti-inflammation and pain-relieving properties, as found in a 2015 study on inflammation and pain from arthritis in mice. 

CBD Skincare Benefits

CBD also has impressive moisturizing and antioxidant properties that make it promising for skincare conditions. Evidence shows CBD having success with several common skincare woes: 

Acne and Dry Skin – Both acne and dry skin are caused by an imbalance in the sebaceous glands, which produce lipid-rich sebum, or the oil in our pores. This sebum helps form a protective, physiochemical barrier and controls our microbiology. The glands can, however, produce too much or too little. Too much sebum results in acne, while too little causes dryness. CBD has been shown to help restore this balance.

Sun Damage – CBD works similarly to aloe vera in that its antioxidants and fatty acids can help the skin recover and provide relief from a painful sunburn. It can also help regenerate the skin from harmful free radicals caused by UV rays that damage our skin and cause aging, like wrinkles and sunspots. While CBD does not repel UV rays like sunscreen, treating your skin with CBD before and after sun exposure can mitigate prolonged damage.

The benefits extend to the lips as well. CBD can keep them from getting chapped and irritated and could help with pain from any cracks or sores due to its pain-relieving and wound-healing properties.

These healing effects and more make CBD attractive to skincare conditions like eczema, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Clinical trials show promising results for these conditions; however, more extensive and expansive trials are necessary before CBD can be approved by the FDA for clinical use.

Sore Muscles – Transdermal or topical CBD make CBD's analgesic properties more pronounced. Applying CBD topically has a localized effect, meaning it directly targets the sore spot. Since topical CBD is not consumed, you don’t have to worry about a delayed response or bioavailability. Instead, you get a steady infusion of CBD for prolonged periods of time – enough to last you throughout the day.

Including CBD in Your Skincare Routine

Cannabidiol offers a wide variety of suggested benefits supported by a growing body of evidence. Since there are many options to choose from, you can customize your approach to fit your needs. Just remember the CBD industry remains unregulated, so you’ll want to make sure to buy from a trusted brand who have test results, positive reviews, and use clean ingredients.

At Botanica, we offer daily CBD essentials like our peppermint lip balm and heating and cooling CBD rubs to help you recover from your workouts. To ease tension before bed, we have CBD infused cotton masks for your face, feet, and hands, plus a selection of CBD infused bath bombs. Check out our Relax, Relief, and Revive collection to learn more.